MLB: Grading the Chicago White Sox at the All-Star Break

The Chicago White Sox have had an up and down season as the team heads into the All-Star break.  A disappointing series in which the Twins took three of four at U.S. Cellular Field dampers spirits, and this club has not been producing to it's payroll in 2011.

Despite falling up to 11 games out of first in the American League Central Division standings in May, Chicago has climbed back into contention.  As of Monday, they sit five games behind Detroit, who hosts the White Sox when the season resumes July 15.

This team hasn't been a complete failure, but it certainly hasn't been able to put together the level of play needed to be a division winner.  Let's take a look at the White Sox as they stand at the break.

Offense: D+

Most of the blame for Chicago's struggles can be placed firmly in this area.

The White Sox are getting MVP-worthy production from Paul Konerko (.319, 22 homers, 67 RBI), and solid contributions from first-time all-star Carlos Quentin.  A.J. Pierzynski is hitting .297 and Alexei Ramirez is having another solid year at the plate (.274, 9 homers, 40 RBI).

Most of the remaining starting lineup has been woeful, which has been disastrous for Chicago.

Adam Dunn has had a dismal first three months.  Not only is he not hitting the ball for power, he's not hitting it at all most nights.  He started poorly and has gotten worse as the season has worn on.  Big Donkey is hitting .086 so far in July.

Alex Rios is also struggling to hit his weight, hitting .213.  When two players who were slated to bookend Konerko in the lineup combine to be this pathetic, it's not difficult to see why Chicago has struggled to plate runs consistently.

While rookie Brent Morel's bat has been predictably weak, the underwhelming production of the veterans like Juan Pierre and Gordan Beckham hasn't made it possible to hide Morel in the ninth spot in the order.  When a .244 hitter with no pop in his bat is starting to bat second on a regular basis, you know your lineup is in trouble.

Chicago is ninth in the AL in runs scored and team batting average.  It's pretty simple.  If the White Sox start to hit consistently, they could challenge.

Defense: A

The White Sox have been solid on the defensive end so far, committing just 44 errors (tied for fewest in the majors).  They also lead baseball with a .987 fielding percentage.

As bad as they've been at the plate, Rios and Beckham have displayed fine glove work.  Morel is no Robin Ventura, but has been pretty consistent at third.

Pitching: B

Chicago is sixth in the AL and tops in the Central Division with a 3.86 ERA.  Led by Phil Humber (8-5, 3.10) and Mark Buehrle (6-5, 3.42), the starters have worked much of the first half in a six man rotation. 

Jake Peavy (4-3, 5.27) has been in and out of the rotation, and John Danks (3-8, 4.21) is looking to return after the break.

The bullpen sputtered out of the gate, but has pitched well once Sergio Santos started pitching the ninth instead of Matt Thornton.  Since Thornton returned to his set-up role, things have been decidedly better.

Santos has converted on 18 of 21 save attempts and has been set up well by Thornton and Jesse Crain.

Bench: B

Brent Lillibridge, Omar Vizquel and Mark Teahen have all been in the mix for manager Ozzie Guillen.

Lillibridge has seven home runs on the season and has made several highlight-quality plays in the outfield.

Vizquel is hitting .269 and been more than sound defensively at third, short, and second.

Back-up catcher Ramon Castro slugged eight homers before breaking his right hand and index finger Saturday.  Tyler Flowers was called up from Charlotte and will be backing up Pierzynski for awhile.

Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen: B-

This isn't so much about the players with whom GM Kenny Williams built the 2011 roster, or how manager Ozzie Guillen has used those players.

Williams signed a consistent power bat and picked up solid pitching. Dunn just hasn't done the job his was signed to do over the first half of the season.

Guillen has been loyal to a fault with the veterans in his lineup and hasn't been afraid to use his bench.  It's just that the player he has defended most vigorously all season, Juan Pierre, has not been effective at the plate or on the base paths.  Pierre is hitting .344 in his last 15 games, so perhaps Guillen's patience will pay off.

That said, neither man wants to make a decision concerning the possible call up of prospect Dayan Viciedo.  Ozzie insisted he couldn't play him if he wasn't up with the club, while Williams claims Guillen is not in favor of using Viciedo.

With the White Sox "all in" as they claim to be, it will be interesting to see if Williams makes some changes if the team remains in their present position.

Overall Grade: C+

The White Sox have played .540 baseball since May and have the AL's fourth best record since May 7th, when they were 11 games out of first.  However, Chicago is still looking to put together the streak needed to get them to the top of the division.

Sunday's 6-3 loss to Minnesota makes the White Sox 8-16 in Central Division games.  Chicago has a nine-game road trip against division opponents waiting for them after the break.  That mark must improve.

Credit has to be given to the team for climbing back into the position they currently hold, but if the team had performed to the expectations of a $130 million payroll, the White Sox would be on top of the division by several games.

Chicago should be able to do more than hang around .500, but they had better start to pick up ground in the next 15 games before the trade deadline.  Otherwise we may see this team become sellers in the coming weeks.